C&C Landfall 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a C&C Landfall 38 means looking at a 1979–1985 Canadian-built performance cruiser, 180 of which were produced. The boat is a three-cabin masthead sloop with a balsa-cored hull and deck, and it rewards a careful inspector because several of its weak points are hidden in plain sight.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available; ex-charter examples are common. The standard arrangement places a double berth aft to port with a chart table or single bunk to starboard, a central saloon with settees, and a small V-berth forward. The head with separate shower sits amidships to port.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Spinnakers, biminis, dodgers, and chartplotters are commonly fitted to these boats. Air conditioning, heating, hot water, and radar are often seen. Less common but present as owner upgrades are asymmetric spinnakers, furling mains, electric winches, swim platforms, AIS, and life rafts. For a buyer, the power and energy side matters most: the standard Yanmar 30-horsepower diesel is adequate, but the original two-blade prop is worth replacing with a three-blade feathering unit, and the 30-gallon fuel capacity is tight for serious cruising. Navigation and canvas clusters are straightforward, but note the electrical panel's 16 circuits are nearly full before any extras, so plan for a sub-panel if you add electronics.
What to Inspect
Cored decks are the headline concern: tap and probe for signs of deck delamination, since Practical Sailor's survey found the balsa-cored deck can fail even when the hull remains sound. Check the hull-and-deck joint carefully, because leaks there are far harder to cure than those around the mast partners or portlights. Look at the anchor locker for a missing positive latch and any unattached bitter end of the rode, and confirm the stemhead fitting has no keeper pin so the rode can jump clear. Inside, verify the companionway sill has no lip to keep water out, and inspect the aft port berth for exposure to companionway flooding on starboard tack. Lift the battery boxes to gauge access, and check the engine bilge for the absence of a drip pan. Finally, sample the water for taste and confirm the tanks do not vent overboard.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up in the United States and Canada. Before you commit, run through this short list:
- Check the chainplate bedding and deck for soft spots.
- Test the companionway sill for water intrusion paths.
- Confirm the anchor locker latch and rode security.
- Inspect the battery and engine access for serviceability.
- Sample water tanks for taste and external venting.
- Verify prop and fuel capacity for your cruising plan.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the C&C Landfall 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 7 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 2 | $33,450 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $35,990 | +7.6% |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $36,013 | +0.1% |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $38,900 | +8.0% |
| May 26 | 3 | $33,900 | -12.9% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $41,900 | +23.6% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $78,700 | +87.8% |
Where they're listed
C&C Landfall 38 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 9 (81.8%), followed by Canada.
Country view
11 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $35,990 | 9 | 6 | 81.8% |
| Canada | $82,968 | 2 | 1 | 18.2% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bavaria Yachts C38 | 37.34' | $ 299,821 | 88 | 14 |
| Sabre 38 | 37.83' | $ 49,999 | 49 | 17 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 38 | 37.96' | $ 96,807 | 30 | 7 |
| C&C Landfall 38You are here | — | $ 35,990 | 11 | 7 |
| Endeavour 38 | 38.25' | $ 41,875 | 8 | 6 |